Sunday, March 9, 2008

Hamsters are one of many items imported illegallyVietnam has banned the sale and possession of hamsters, whose popularity has been soaring.Owning a hamster in Vietnam could cost you two years' wagesThe Ministry of Agriculture says anyone caught with a hamster will be fined up to 30m dong ($1,900) - almost double the average annual wage in Vietnam.Traded illegally over the Chinese or Thai borders, the hamsters are unlicensed and unchecked.The authorities say the creatures are a potential source of disease.